Visiting parents, birthday lunch, many caveats

So...it's Dad's birthday, and they will be visiting at the end of the month.
Dad really likes the occasional steak, or at least a meaty dish.

Mom is an erratic, inconsistent veg. whose restrictions take into account, (through some mystical formula) the neural and/or spiritual evolvedness of the potential meal, its cuteness while living, the publicized awfulness of its brief, doomed life, the alleged barbarity of its eventual slaughter, and the healthfulness (or lack thereof) of the resulting meal.
However, she will sit at the table with those who make different choices.

On top of this, she has an extraordinarily wonky stomach, surely due in part to the incessant working out of equations of suffering and virtue.

No beef, veal, lamb, or pork for her for sure. Fish used to be OK, but then, as I understand it, one looked at her beseechingly at the vast asian market in Vancouver and that was it. Bi-valves probably still edible, along with chicken, toward which, I gather, her attitude is, "You call that living?"

They love but shy away from Indian/Asian for fear of heat.
Italian is not a good choice because of their absolute fealty to the owner of their local place back home. They don't believe anyplace else can be as good, and if they actually ate somewhere that did seem as good, they would be crippled by guilt.

So much for the exposition.

Looking for a nice, celebratory lunch.
Last year Fogo was very successful because Mom was able to do very well for herself at the salad bar, and Dad was in heaven.
Friendly but very professional service counts for them. As does a nice room. They loved Chez Paul in its day---which dates them and me rather frightfully.
Will be staying Addison-ish near the lake. Lunch needn't be right there (nor could it be, based on what's around), but something within a 10-15 min. cab ride in any direction would be a plus. ($40-$50 per person would also be a sweet spot.)

Introduce them to some filling world beer selections (perhaps a Delirium Nocturnum or Wild Flemish) alongside lighter eats at Hopleaf - mussels, greens, steak frites for papa. Self-entertaining, and it can be a very pleasant room, especially on the balcony during off-hours.

Regional Mexican is also an excellent choice for out-of-towners. [Keep Fonda del Mar among your options. EDIT: just recalled Fonda is no longer open for lunch and is not close enough.] Maybe Topolobampo?

Make what you want to digest. Tell them you special ordered from where ever the Hell they shop. Tell them their butcher recommended it. Call their butcher, call every butcher within a 30 mile radius of where they live. They probably all know your parents, they'll back you up.

What about Yoshi's Cafe? They're very vegetarian-friendly, while still providing solid choices for omnivores. They're Asian-influenced, but I wouldn't call them straight Asian, and I'd say there are definitely no heat issues. The location would work as well.

ETA: Rats, I thought they'd be perfect, but they don't do lunch on saturdays. They do have a sunday brunch until 2:30, though, so if you were going on a sunday, it might still work.

Yoshi's Cafe
3257 N Halsted
http://www.yoshiscafe.com/yoshiscafe/

Although I never thought I would recommend this place (for personal reasons. It's a long story having nothing to do with the food or service), Erwin sounds just about perfect. I don't know if they're open for lunch, though. Another place to consider, though it is a bit more casual is Southport Grocery. There's (I believe) steak on the menu, but it's got a healthy "sprout lover" vibe to it that your Mom will love. Great cupcakes, too.

Erwin
2925 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL
773-528-7200

Southport Grocery
3552 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
773-665-0100

North Pond is perfect for your needs. It's open for lunch five days a week, and it has something for everyone. Spectacularly delicious food, including local ingredients and good veggie choices for Mom, and meat dishes for Dad. A beautiful location in the middle of Lincoln Park, only five minutes by cab from where they're staying. Conventional and classy, like the Chez Paul they miss. They'll love it.

North Pond
2610 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago . IL 60614
773 . 477 . 5845
http://www.northpondrestaurant.com
Hours include brunch on Sundays, and lunch Tuesdays-Fridays June through September.

Do you know what day of the week you need lunch? (Saturday or Monday are even trickier; Sunday opens up lots of choices for brunch.)

stevez wrote:Erwin sounds just about perfect. I don't know if they're open for lunch, though.

Other than their Sunday brunch, they're not.

Deleece
http://deleece.com/

La Creperie
http://www.lacreperieusa.com/
I have taken many people there for various occasions and all have been pleased.

Bin Wine Cafe (only on weekends for lunch)
http://www.binwinecafe.com/

Jane's (also on weekends only)
http://janesrestaurant.com/

Let us know where you end up!

I would also recommend North Pond. Took someone there for bday recently, and they'll print their name on the menu. Jane's is good as well.

You should also consider:
Fiddlehead Cafe
contemp american spot in lincoln square
4600 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-751-1500

Magnolia Cafe
contemp american spot in uptown
1224 W. Wilson Ave.
773-728-8785

We're still not sure what day of the week the OP needs a place for. Magnolia Cafe is only open for brunch on Sundays. (It's quite good for Sunday brunch, as I found out two days ago. ) And Fiddlehead is only open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.